based on the music of Alfred Schnittke, based on the motifs of Leo Tolstoy's novel
Director-choreographer – Anželika Cholina
Set designer – Marijus Jacovskis
Costume designer – Juozas Statkevičius
The performance features roles created by 16 soloists from the Anželika Cholina Dance Theatre, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the State Small Theatre of Vilnius, the Kaunas State Musical Theatre, and other national troupes, as well as artists from the ACH Youth Troupe.
"Anna Karenina" is a legendary performance, one of the most remarkable and beloved by audiences, created by choreographer Anželika Cholina and the ACH Theatre she founded.
Since its premiere in 2010, "Anna Karenina" has traveled a long and impressive path, applauded by audiences not only in Lithuania but also abroad. To this day, the performance has been shown 127 times and has been seen by a record-breaking number of people – nearly 80,000 spectators, and such a staggering number best illustrates the success of the performance and the enduring love of the audience.
For the audience, "Anna Karenina" is an opportunity to experience the heroine's great and fragile love story, which awakens the feelings of even the most reserved person, all over again. Regardless of nationality, age, or views, the most loyal fans of the performance return to experience this miracle created on stage by A. Cholina again and again, some even for the fifth or sixth time, because this story universally touches and guides everyone toward important reflections – about happiness, about freedom, about the meaning and meaninglessness of life.
Therefore, we are announcing the long-awaited news to all fans of A. Cholina and this legendary performance! – by your request, after a few years' break, "Anna Karenina" is returning and will undoubtedly become a special highlight of the ACH Theatre's newest, 27th season!!!
Having heard the request to bring this performance back to the theatre's repertoire at least for a short time many times, we confirm – the audience will have a unique opportunity to see once again the masterpiece awarded the "Golden Stage Cross" for choreography in 2011, which has already left an indelible mark on the history of dance theatre in all of Lithuania.
The return of the performance is also special because the lead role will once again be performed by the long-time leading soloist of the ACH Theatre, Beata Molytė, who has embodied Anna Karenina since the very first premiere performance. The audience will have the opportunity to admire the timeless and always impeccable mastery of movement, suggestive and sensual dance, and dramatic performance of this stage star not only in Vilnius and Kaunas, but also in several other Lithuanian cities.
Memorable characters in the performance are also embodied by other well-known dance soloists – Ernestas Barčaitis, Rūta Lataitė, Paulina Čistovaitė, Stefanija Nosovaitė, as well as drama actors, audience favorites Mantas Vaitiekūnas, Leonardas Pobedonoscevas, and others.
While writing the novel "Anna Karenina", L. Tolstoy spoke for the first time about a woman's right to happiness and personal choice, and that a woman should not become a tool for a man's vanity and satisfaction, which was a great scandal in the conservative and patriarchal European society of that time.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the author envisioned such a dramatic end for the main heroine who resisted society, which entered the history of literature, cinematography, and theatre forever and which still inspires creators of different genres all over the world. Even today, almost 150 years after the publication of the novel, the story of Anna Karenina is understood everywhere; it is universal, it evokes strong emotions, and thanks to choreographer A. Cholina, this story has been reborn in a dance drama that has captivated thousands of viewers.
"When I met Beata Molytė, then a ballet soloist at the Klaipėda Musical Theatre, I realized – this is my Anna," says A. Cholina, who was encouraged to stage this performance by the discovery of the lead soloist. Their creative tandem has lasted for many years, and B. Molytė has created lead roles in other A. Cholina performances as well.
The set design for the performance was created by scenographer Marijus Jacovskis, and the costumes and makeup by Juozas Statkevičius, so the performance leaves the audience with immense aesthetic satisfaction.
"When creating, I do not seek to frame my performances in any genre; I am interested in creating life itself on stage. A full, multi-layered life, the kind L. Tolstoy talks about in his novel. In it, he intertwines so much that one can get lost – just like in the complexity of life itself. I tried to refine what seemed important to me, what exists in the present time and is relevant to the modern viewer," says A. Cholina.
Two-part dance performance
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes, with an intermission
IMPORTANT! – Continuing to actively promote the tradition of cultural patronage in Lithuania, we invite you to contribute to the future of the independent, self-funded ACH Theatre and to purchase a special, more expensive than usual PATRON TICKET for all our performances.
Thanks to your support, our theatre can plan new premieres, maintain a professional troupe of artists, go on tours throughout Lithuania, even to more remote regions of the country where professional performing arts are less accessible, and not cut corners on the artistic and technical quality of the performances. Observing the ever-increasing sales of these tickets, we are convinced – we are definitely not alone. Thank you to every single existing and future supporter of the ACH Theatre!
Also, aiming to create a positive change in society and contribute to forming a new approach to cultural patronage in our country, two years ago we took the lead in educating young people and growing a young generation of cultural patrons. Therefore, in the new season, we are continuing the initiative dedicated to all young people aged 15-24 – they can continue to purchase FUTURE PATRON TICKETS for all ACH Theatre performances and watch the performances from a special row, next to the theatre's Patrons.
Young people can purchase these tickets with a 50% discount already applied, and upon arriving at the performance, we will only ask to present an identity document proving age along with the ticket. We have no doubt that by providing young people with the opportunity to see our theatre's performances under special conditions, we are contributing to raising a generation of young Lithuanians who are not indifferent to theatre, art, and culture!